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Kelleher out, Cain in as Jersey City's cultural affairs director

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Director of Cultural Affairs for Jersey City Maryanne Kelleher speaks during a press conference about the second annual Golden Door Film Festival at City Hall on Friday, Oct. 5, 2012.
(LAUREN CASSELBERRY)

Maryanne Kelleher is out as Jersey City’s cultural affairs director after nearly a decade in that position.

Sources say Kelleher, a city worker since May 1996, is being transferred to the city’s health department, where she worked as a public affairs and development coordinator before getting her cultural affairs job.

Kelleher is a Jersey City fixture, the city’s go-to person for flag raisings, art shows and other cultural events.

Mayor Steve Fulop’s pick to replace her is Elizabeth Cain, who chaired the cultural development and tourism committee on Fulop’s transition team.

“We thank Maryanne and have decided to bring in Elizabeth Cain, who has led several large-scale events consistent with Mayor Fulop’s vision for an expanded cultural affairs,” city spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill said in an email.

As a member of the City Council, Fulop proposed getting rid of the city Office of Cultural Affairs, saying it was “redundant” to have the city and Hudson County overseeing cultural events.

Cain, who will make $75,000 annually, has worked for developers Paul and Eric Silverman, and she and her husband own Hound About Town, a pet supplies store with two Downtown locations. She’s also the former executive director of the Historic Downtown Special Improvement District.

Cain, who is not listed as a donor on Fulop’s campaign finance documents from his mayoral campaign, helped to organize the Jersey City Project, an outdoor market that brought thousands to City Hall on April 26.

Kelleher was a longtime loyalist of former Mayor Jerramiah Healy, whom Fulop defeated in last May’s mayoral race. She contributed at least $725 to Healy’s most recent re-election campaign, records show.

With Kelleher’s transfer, few Healy allies remain in high profile City Hall positions. Fulop promoted Bob Kakoleski, Healy’s budget director, to business administrator in March, while Jennifer Morrill, who often criticized Fulop when she was Healy’s spokeswoman, remains in that position.